These simple DIY Rose Centerpieces are perfect for your next party celebration and they are made with 100% Rainforest sustainable Roses from Kroger.

Did you know that the Rainforest once covered 14% of the earth, but because of deforestation it has dwindled down to cover a meager 6%?  This is frightening because experts estimate that we are losing 137 plants, animals and insect species every single day. That equates to 50,000 species a year.

I am honored to be working with Kroger to help spread the word on how important it is for all of us to contribute to a sustainable social, economic and environmental future.  Since Kroger is the LARGEST florist in the WORLD, who better to lead the campaign for Rainforest sustainability. 

 All of Kroger’s roses are Rainforest Alliance certified. Products bearing the Rainforest Alliance seal originate on or contain ingredients sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms or forests. These farms and forests are managed according to rigorous environmental, social and economic criteria designed to conserve wildlife; safeguard soils and waterways; protect workers, their families and local communities; and increase livelihoods.  

You can learn more about how Kroger is contributing to the influence of a positive change in sustainability {here}.

To inspire you to grab your roses from Kroger on your next grocery shopping trip, I thought I would share this simple DIY Rose Centerpiece idea.  Perfect for the dinner table, or your next party.

What you’ll need—per centerpiece

1 small clear glass vase. Cylindrical and rectangular shapes work best.

12-15  roses {vary colors if you like}

7–10 stalks of your favorite greenery or leaves

Florist’s tape or you can use scotch tape

Gardening shears or sharp scissors

Note: Make sure no leaves from roses or greenery is touching or submerged in water.

How to make simple DIY Rose Flower Centerpieces

1. Choose a simple vase. Do not fill with water {you will fill when finished designing}
2. Use florist’s tape to create a grid over the top of the vase; make sure the edge of the tape overhangs the outside of the vase by about 1/2 to 1 inch.
3. Clip the stems of the roses so that when placed in the vase, the heads sit 2″-3″ inches above the top of the vase.
4. Place 4 to 5 roses into the grid, using any arrangement you find visually appealing, be creative. I like to put a single rose in each square of the grid. Once this is finished start adding your greenery throughout the grid, making sure to place your greenery lower than your flowers. Again be creative and have fun.
5. Once your area is full, add a few more roses to any empty area.  Turn your vase to observe it from all angles, trying to be consistent.
6. Once you are happy with your design, add the packet of flower food to the bottom of your vase and fill with cool water. Again make sure no leaves are touching or submerged in water.

I am honored to work with the Kroger company, who earned the Rainforest Alliance Chain award, to help spread the word about their 100% Rainforest Sustainable Roses.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Kroger Company. The opinions and text are all mine.

A Healthy Life For Me - Cooking, Gardening and Living a Healthy Life

I get asked a lot about what it is like to keep my own chickens. Some who ask are just curious, and others want to know because they are intrigued and interested in keeping their own chickens. I thought I would share some a few fun facts about keeping chickens.

The first thing I say is you MUST, MUST, MUST have a coop that is secure with a fenced in area for them to roam.

If you are not interested in making an investment in a coop and fencing, don’t bother keeping chickens.

Why do I say such a thing? Because I have learned the hard way, everything will want to eat your chickens, and I mean everything. The neighbors dog, your dog, the local fox, coyotes, hawks, raccoons, possums and even weasels all want to munch on your chickens. Let’s face it chickens don’t have any fighting skills to protect themselves, so it is up to you.   That means a fence to keep out daytime predators and a nice secure coop to keep those nocturnal predators.

Past that big warning, I talk about all the fun, strange and silly things that come along with keeping chickens.

Keeping chickens means lots and lots of poop. Yep, you heard me. Chickens are poop machines. They poop in their coop, they poop where they walk, where they sleep, where they… you get the idea.   I have read that one hen can produce 45 pounds of poop, per year. That my friend is a lot of poop!

BUT, not to fret, because chicken poop is the best when it comes to composting. If you are a gardener, BONUS! Now you can start making your own garden compost.

Since we touched on composting and gardening, let me just tell you about having chickens running around your garden. Now my chickens are fenced in, but when I am out working in my garden I let them out of their enclosure and give them time to run around the yard. While they are out exploring they hunt down bugs and gobble them up. Making them the perfect organic all natural pest control.

While they are out walking and exploring their curiosity at about everything can lead to the best entertainment. Cause let me tell you chickens are busy bodies.

Many a time I have gone into the house to grab something, only to head back out and find them in the garage checking out the tool chest, as they were on top of the tool chest. We won’t tell my hubby that one happened.

Chickens also love treats. They come running when they think you have a bag of goodies. It is so cute to see a pack of fluffy chickens waddling as fast as they can toward you if they thing you got the goods. If I am out in the garden when my hubby gets home from work he will grab the treat bag and come out to see me, because he gets the biggest kick out of all the girls running towards him to get the free handouts.

Chickens come in all different shapes and colors. I have several different breeds of chickens. The reason I chose to mix it up was not only because I enjoy the different colors of the chickens, but because their eggs can come in as many different colors and shape as the chickens themselves.

I get asked a lot if the eggs whose shells are blue taste or look different then the eggs that are white. Nope they all taste they same.  What makes your eggs taste different is how your chickens live, do they get out of a coop and get out to forage, and what kind of food do you feed them.  The higher quality food the healthier chicken and the better tasting and quality egg.  I have been feeding Purina certified USDA Organic chicken feed that I get at my local Tractor Supply store.  Chicken feed and supplies are readily available at most feed stores, and on line.

Another reason I like to have different breeds in my flock is each breed has unique personality characteristics. Just like dogs each breeds from the next. Some chickens are friendly and liked to be close to you and will even come sit in your lap, while others are skittish and shy, as well as some can be down right mean. Each has their own quirks and it won’t take long for you to pick up on their individuality.

Lastly I tell anyone who is interested in keeping chickens that they need to give care past giving them water and feed. You will have to spend a bit of time getting to know your chickens, how they act, and keeping an eye on them. If their behavior changes, if they limp, if they have dirty butts, or if their legs are swelling you may have to give a treatment. Not to say that chickens are high maintenance, but they can get sick, sore feet, and respiratory infections. The thing about chickens is they are tough, so when you notice something wrong, sometimes it may be too late.

Thankfully there is so much information on the Internet that if you do notice something off about your chicken, typing in your symptoms typically will give you plenty of advice on what may be the cause.

Keeping chickens is definitely a fun and rewarding hobby. Not only for all the gorgeous and delicious eggs you will get, but because they offer so much fun and benefits for you and your whole family.

Learn more about Purina Organic Chicken Feed | Find Purina Retailer |  Purina Facebook | Purina Pinterest | Purina YouTube

This post has been sponsored by Purina Animal Nutrition, as such I received free product from Purina to share my opinion with my readers. However, my opinions are based on my individual and unique experience. Based on my experience in 2016 I believe this line of feed has been amazing for my flock and I encourage you to try it too!

A Healthy Life For Me - Cooking, Gardening and Living a Healthy Life

I was at the gym last week and one my fellow crossfitter’s pulled me aside to ask me about eggs. Her question was if there really is a difference between organic farm fresh eggs and conventional store-bought eggs?

Though it seems like a simple question, it really is quite complicated.  Mostly because of all the different type of eggs sold today.  Conventional, Cage Free, Organic, and Free Range.  So, I asked what led her to her question and  she told me that her and her husband were considering getting a few chickens to raise in their backyard.  I had given some of my eggs to her and husband in the past and they were so impressed with the quality that it sparked an interest for them to start their own flock.  

So began my speech about the what it takes to raise your own chickens and how it guarantees you the best quality eggs available.  

Besides having a good quality coop that keeps your chickens safe and comfortable, your chickens will need fresh air, fresh water and a diet high in calcium. Chickens need a surprisingly diverse diet to lay the healthiest and the most lovely eggs.  

That means they need access to good quality poultry feed as their main source of food.  When I started keeping backyard chickens, organic feed was not sold at the local store, but had to be ordered on-line, and to say it was expensive was being kind. 

Thankfully Purina has come out with a complete line of certified USDA organic feed that is made with all the ingredients you want for your chickens and none of those you don’t.  Like genetically modified ingredients, animal by products, preservatives and NO growth hormones.  That means the best quality eggs for you and your family and helps to keep chickens healthy.  

The healthier your chickens the healthier their eggs.

Learn more about Purina Organic Chicken Feed | Find Purina Retailer |  Purina Facebook | Purina Pinterest | Purina YouTube

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This post has been sponsored by Purina Animal Nutrition, as such I received free product from Purina to share my opinion with my readers. However, my opinions are based on my individual and unique experience. Based on my experience in 2016 I believe this line of feed has been amazing for my flock and I encourage you to try it too!

A Healthy Life For Me - Cooking, Gardening and Living a Healthy Life

If you find yourself with more peppers than you know what to do with here are a few Tips for Harvesting and Storing Peppers.

 When are your peppers ready to harvest?

Typically peppers are harvested when green and firm for eating, cooking or canning.

Days to harvest?

Most peppers ripen 70-85 days from planting; some may take up to 150 days. They are mature when they have firm texture and thick walls.

Best way to pick your pepper?

Snap or cut off pepper stem at plant, try not to nick or bruise peppers this will cause them to rot more quickly.

To wash or not after picking?

Don’t wash after picking just wipe off dirt.

Store in refrigerator or not?

Store them immediately in the produce bin in your refrigerator, between 40-45°F.

How long will they last after you pick them?

If you store at the proper temperature peppers can last up to 2-3 weeks.

Can you freeze? If so how?

To freeze peppers, slice and place on cookie sheet and freeze until just firm. Slide frozen peppers into a freezer bag, seal bag, remove any excess air and freeze up to 9 months.

Drying or Roasting?

To dry peppers cut them into strips and use a food dehydrator for 2-4 hours. You can also dry on a cookie sheet in oven set to 140°, leaving door slightly ajar to circulate air, stirring peppers occasionally. This can take 3-6 hours. You can use a string to tie peppers together and hang them a warm dry room for up to 3 weeks.

Just a note of caution: When you are working with hot peppers, make sure to wear a pair of rubber gloves.  

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A Healthy Life For Me - Cooking, Gardening and Living a Healthy Life

There is nothing like the explosion of taste from a garden grown melon.  The store-bought melons do not compare. Growing your own melons is rewarding. The key to the perfect garden grown melon is plenty of moisture, sunlight, and heat.  To ensure you are enjoying your own garden melons I have supplied you with 10 Tips for Growing Melons.
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#1 Plant where they will get at least 10 hours of direct sunlight, and at least 4 months of warm weather.

#2 Your soil should have a pH between 6.0 to 6.5.

#3 Remove rocks and loosen soil up to 3’ deep. Work 2-3” of compost into planting area.

#4 Space plants 36-42 inches apart or 12” if growing up trellis.

#5 Needs a steady supply of water. Vines are sensitive to drought. Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy.

#6 Use paper mulch or organic mulch once vines start to grow. This will help keep fruit clean and disease free.

#7 Melon vines are delicate so handle with care when moving. If you have limited space for vines, try growing along a strong fence or trellis and encouraging vines to grow up.

#8 Striped and spotted cucumber beetles can be a series pest. You can spray young plants with kaolin clay or use a vacuum cleaner to remove beetles and then cover with row covers. Squash vine borers are another problem causing wilt. Remove eggs immediately hand pick adults. Try spraying with insecticidal soap.

#9 A vine ripen melon should break cleanly with no pressure on stem. Usually once you smell the melon they are ripe.

#10 Key to sweet melon is sugar, which is made by the leaves of the plant. Watch for fungus, blight or mildew. Treat early with Copper Fungicide.

Save the free graphic below for refrence.

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My other Garden Tip Posts:

10 Tips for Growing Brussels Sprouts

10 Tips for Growing Zucchini

10 Tips for Growing Cucumber

10 Tips for Growing Blackberries

10 Tips for Growing Green Beans

10 Tips for Growing Eggplant

10 Tips for Growing Peppers

10 Tips for Growing Tomatoes

10 Tips for Growing Beets 

A Healthy Life For Me - Cooking, Gardening and Living a Healthy Life

Check out my 10 Tips for Growing Beets to help you have the best harvest possible.
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I have supplied an easy graphic for you on 10 Tips for Growing Beets that you can keep handy so you are guaranteed the sweetest beets all season long.

Beets are roots that grow in the ground with leafy greens that grow above.  Both root and leaf are edible and one of the most nutritious vegetables.  Actually the beet greens are the most nutritious part of the plant, so make sure you start trimming them when they are young to enjoy in salads and smoothies.  

Top 10 Tips to Growing Beets

#1 Plant where they will get at least 10 hours of direct sunlight.

#2 Your soil should have a pH between 6.0 to 7.0.

#3 Remove all rocks from soil where you plan to plant and work in organic material to existing soil before planting.

#4 Sow beet seeds to a depth of 1⁄2 to 1 inch and space rows 12 to 18 inches apart. Thin the seedlings to leave 2 to 4 inches of space between plants.

#5 Keep soil moist throughout growing season for better root quality.

#6 Because beet seeds have such a hard covering, soak the seeds in warm water for a few hours before sowing them to increase the chances of germination.

#7 Beet seeds are multigerm which means that there are multiple embryos in each seed. This will result in multliple plants emerging from each planted seed. Thin as needed to result in better formed roots.

#8 Few insect pests bother beets. Leaf miners, flea beetles and leafhoppers may feast on foliage. If you are worried about heavy infestation cover young plants with row covers and leave in place until harvest.

#9 Cut beet greens when they are an inch or two high to add to salad greens. Roots can be harvested when they reach a 1” in diameter up to 3-4”. Smaller roots and leaves are better tasting than larger.

#10 Before storing roots in plastic bag in fridge, cut off the tops, leaving an inch or two of the stems intact.

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A Healthy Life For Me - Cooking, Gardening and Living a Healthy Life

Soil improvement is the foundation to having a healthy thriving garden.  Here are some Tips for Building Organic Garden Soil that are simple and easy to apply.

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Soil is composed of weathered rock and organic matter, water and air. However, the hidden magic in a healthy soil is the organisms that flourish when the other soil elements are in balance.  To have a healthy flourishing garden your foundation must be solid and your soil is the foundation to each and every plant.

Here are a few Tips for Building better Organic Soil:

Make your own compost.  Learn about building a compost bin and how to build compost {here}.

New beds require plenty of compost, soil amendments and double digging for that extra kick.

Coffee grounds from your favorite coffee house make excellent mulch around acid loving plants. Like radishes, sweet potatoes, parsley, peppers and potatoes.

Earthworms are extremely beneficial to the soil and plants, increasing air space in the soil and leaving behind worm castings. Do everything you can to encourage earthworms in your soil.

A garden soil that has been well mulched and amended periodically requires only about a 1 inch layer of compost yearly to maintain its quality.

A Healthy Life For Me - Cooking, Gardening and Living a Healthy Life

You started your seeds and you have been caring for your seedlings. Now what?  My Tips for Starting Seeds Step 3 {Transplanting} will answer your questions and help you have a successful transplant.   If you haven’t planted your seedlings yet and are here reading this post, go to my Tips for Starting Seeds Step 1 {Planting} to help you get started.

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You have little seedlings that are ready to head out into the big ol’ world.  They look strong and healthy, keep them that way by slowly introducing them to the trials of mother nature.  Gardeners call this hardening off giving your plants  a bit of the outdoors in small chunks of time, until they are ready to be out there all day.  At the end of this hardening off leave them out overnight and if they look strong and healthy the next day, get to transplanting.

After you transplant your babies, pay attention to the weather channel.  If the weatherman starts talking about high winds, hail or terential rainstorms, you might want to give your babies a bit of protection.  You can use overturned pots, cardboard boxes, or an old sheet set on stakes.  Nothing fancy, just a buffer.

Tips for Starting Seeds Step 3 {Transplanting}:

• Before seedlings can be planted outdoors, they need to be hardened off, or acclimated to direct sunlight and fluctuating temperatures.
• It is best to harden your seedlings over a three-day period by placing them in direct sunlight during the morning only of the first day, then increasing their time outside by a few hours each day until they are vigorous enough to be transplanted.
• While your seedlings are hardening off, prepare the planting space by amending the soil with compost and mixing in an appropriate amount of your favorite organic fertilizer.
• Push seedlings out of their containers from the bottom rather than pulling them out by their stems. In most cases, you can place one hand over the container with the main stem between your fingers, tip it over and shake or tap to loosen the root ball.
• As a general rule, it’s best to keep as much soil packed around the root ball as possible.
• Finish the transplanting process by drenching the soil with water — an important step that eliminates air pockets around the roots.

Don’t miss:

Tips for Starting Seeds Step 1 {Planting}

Tips for Starting Seeds Step 2 {Growing}

A Healthy Life For Me - Cooking, Gardening and Living a Healthy Life

Once you have your vegetable and flower seeds planted you soon will have little tender seedlings popping up and you need ot know how to care for them. My Tips for Starting Seeds Step 2 {Growing} will help you care for your seedlings so that you end up with strong plants when it comes time to plant in your garden.   If you haven’t planted your seedlings yet and are here reading this post, go to my Tips for Starting Seeds Step 1 {Planting} to help you get started.

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Now that you have little green sprouts popping through the soil, you should be pretty excited.  You have germinated your first batch of seeds.

You will be amazed at how fast your seedlings grow, but to ensure that they stay healthy and grow strong you need to give them plenty of light and water.

I have provided some tips to help you ensure success through this stage of growing seedlings.  I think the most important thing is light, plenty of it and close as you can get it, preferrably 2-3″ from your seedlings.  The second is watering your seedlings, because they are growing in a seed starting mix they will dry out quickly, much more quickly than potting soil dries out.  You want to keep your medium moist NOT soggy.  Try to water with warm water and to water from the bottom, you do NOT want to get your seedlings wet, just the soil.

Remember to check on your seedlings daily, just a few minutes is all they need, but they need you to check daily, they will parish quickly without your care.

Tips for Starting Seeds Step 2 {Growing}:

• Your seedlings are sprouted and will need a steady supply of water, but should not be constantly wet. Watering from the bottom by keeping your grow containers in a tray. Fill the tray with warm water and your seedling roots will wick up the water.
• When seedlings get their first true leaves, not the tiny ones but the two that follow, start to water once a week with a plant food diluting to half strength. Too much can burn your plants, think less is better for now.
• Do not use water that has been put through a water softener the sodium may kill seedlings
• If you are using growing lights keep seedlings close to light source. When seedlings don’t get enough light they grow long and weak stems. As your seedlings grow raise the light to maintain 2-3” distance.
• Your seedlings will need 14-16 hours of direct light to produce enough food to produce healthy stems and leaves.
• Keep air moving around your seedlings once those true leaves show. This helps to keep fungus from attacking your seedlings. A fan gently blowing steadily will help.
• Once your true leaves show, use a pair of small scissors and cut off the weakest plants in each cell so that you only have one strong seedling in each cell.

You might also like:

Tips for Starting Seeds Step 1 {Planting}

Tips for Starting Seeds Step 3 {Transplanting}

When to Start Seeds Indoors

A Healthy Life For Me - Cooking, Gardening and Living a Healthy Life

Starting Seeds for the first time can be a little intimidating with all the choices available.  My Tips for Starting Seeds Step 1 will hopefully make the procedure simple, and enjoyable.  I will be providing more steps in the next few weeks helping you through the process from seedling to plant.

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Even though the snow is flying here it is definitely time to start my vegetable seeds.

I am going to break down the how to’s on seed starting into 3 different posts. This post gives you the basics to get started.

Seed catalogs are one of the best sources for vegetables, but you definitely have a great selection at your garden centers. Once you narrow your choices to types of vegetables, pick two or three varieties that seem promising. That way if one variety doesn’t perform well, you’ll have other plants to make up for it.

Certain seeds should and can be started indoors and certain seeds are best planted outside directly in your garden. The back of your seed packets will have all the information you need for each seed so that you have the highest success. Information such as soil depth, and time to germination, and if you should start indoors or outdoors.

Tips for Starting Seeds Step 1 {Getting Started}

• Choose seed starting mix {not potting soil}. You can buy a seed starting mix at your local garden center.
• Choose your containers. You can buy plastic cell packs at your local garden center.
• Moisten your seed starting mix before you plant your seeds. Simply pour mix into a bucket and add warm water and stir. Once the mix absorbs the water fill your container cell packs with mix.
• Plant at least 2-3 sees in each cell. That way you almost guarantee that you will have a seedling growing in each cell.
• Plant your seeds according to the directions on seed packet. Good rule of thumb is 3 times as deep as the seeds diameter.
• Keep a record of what seeds you plant in what cells.  You can use plant tags which come with most growing containers, or popsicle sticks or clothesline pins work well.
• After you plant seeds you want to cover the plastic cell packs to create a humid environment. If you purchase cell packs at garden center, these come with their own cover.  You can use plastic wrap, but keep an eye on your seedlings as soon as the sprout remove plastic.
• As soon as your seedlings sprout remove the plastic covers. Set your seedlings as close to light as possible {you may need grow lights if you do not have proper lighting}

I provided these tips in this handy graphic.  Please pin it and share it.

Now that you are off to get your supplies, what seeds will you be starting inside?  I always start Roma Tomatoes, Eggplant, Leeks, and Peas indoor, with some Zinnia, Marigold and Nastirum.

Don’t forget to step back in the next weeks for Tips on Seed Starting Step 2 {Growing}, and Tips on Seed Starting Step 3 {Planting}

You might also like:

Starting Seeds Step 2 {Growing}

Starting Seeds Step 3 {Transplanting}

When to Start Seeds Indoors

A Healthy Life For Me - Cooking, Gardening and Living a Healthy Life

 How to Force Bulbs for the holidays so that you can enjoy beautiful blooms throughout the season and the cold months ahead.
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photo source of kitchen pan pots above by: home life style 

My garden is put to bed and the few plants I brought in to overwinter have found their new homes in sunny corners throughout my house. I have started the windup for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

I love decorating for the holidays but I prefer decor that is not too fussy. Something I try to do every year is to force bulbs to bloom indoors throughout the winter so that they are brightening my home with beautiful colors and fragrances.  These pots of blooms also make wonderful hostess gifts.

Have you read this far and asked yourself what is this woman talking about why does she want to force bulbs and where is she forcing them too?

To “force” a bulb means to create an environment where the bulb grows when it naturally wouldn’t.

You have to chill bulbs they need chilling time, either in a fridge that contains no fruits or vegetables or in a cool place in your house that does NOT freeze, like the garage or cellar. This tricks the bulb into sprouting, think winter is your fridge and the pot is spring.

The rule of thumb on chilling time the larger the bulb, the longer the chilling time.

Forcing bulbs is simple and you can get mighty creative with what containers to use to hold them. Some like Paperwhites, Crocus and Amaryllis can be grown in watertight containers. Others like a soil mix of equal parts of soil, sphagnum moss, and perlite or vermiculite. Commercial potting soil can stay to wet and cause your bulbs to rot.

Plant bulb with the pointed end facing up and always leave the tips of your bulbs uncovered

Plant your bulbs close together but give them enough space so that they are not touching each other.

After chilling time keep your pots in a cool part of your home until you see growth. Then move your pots to a warmer location with bright indirect light.

There are several different types of bulbs that you can force.

• Paperwhites are the most popular, probably because they are one of the easiest, versatile to force and need no time to chill. Start them know in several batches so that you get blooms every few weeks.

You will see blooms 4-6 weeks after planting. Once the blossoms die, toss the bulbs; they won’t flower again.

photo source: Wall Street Journal

• Tulips are always a favorite because of their colors and fragrance.

You will see blooms: 2-3 weeks after chilling.

photo source: imgfave

• Grape hyacinth have the most lovely scent and color. They need 10-12 weeks to chill.

You will see blooms in 6-8 weeks. BONUS: keep growing and plant outside in the spring for blooms the following year.

photo source: container gardening

• Amaryllis are the largest and mot striking blooms to force and need no time to chill.

You will see blooms 6-8 weeks, sometime sooner.

photo source: house and home

• Crocus are small blooms that will need 8-15 weeks of chilling

You will see blooms 2-3 weeks after chilling

photo source: horticulteur brindas

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As we are putting our gardens to sleep for the winter it is time to start thinking about enjoying plants inside.  Here are 10 DIY Planters that I am crushing on right now.  These are sure to keep your plants healthy and your house beautiful.

A great way to enjoy nature and our plants all winter long is by displaying them in fun creative ways.  Here are 10 amazingly beautiful DIY planters that you will want to try.

1. DIY Metallic Geometric Planters in 5 Minutes.

By: Brittni Mehlhoff she shows us how to make a faux metal hexagon planter in 5 minutes. 

2. Ferns in Hanging Terrariums
By Moiiwatplantendoen These hanging terrariums are gorgeous via Vosges Paris

3. DIY Cork Tillandsia 
Make your own vertical indoor garden with this DIY Cork Tillandsia Kit from Flora Grubb Gardens.

4. Easy DIY Tea Cup Planter Party Favors

By: Lovelola  who shows us how to make these sweet tea cup planters that will make the perfect holiday party favor via curbly.

5. DIY Dino Planters

By: dani-kittenbear these are so darn cute, and creative a definite favorite via HIGH WALLS.

6. DIY painted concrete planters

By: Matthew Robbins these concrete planters are lovely via weddbook.  

7. Mount a Staghorn Fern
By: Megan Gilger How-to by The Fresh Exchange I also love the orchid.

8. DIY Tea Tin Herbs 

By: Kai Ethier taking something used and making it new.  A colorful and beautiful way to show off herbs via House and Home.

9. DIY Hanging Mason Jar Planter with Air Plants

By: Karla Lim this is such a simple, beautiful and inexpensive way to show off your plants via oh so very pretty.

10. Yellow Drip Planter

By: Dabito who turned a thrift store find into a piece of art to show off your houseplants via Old Brand New

A Healthy Life For Me - Cooking, Gardening and Living a Healthy Life

October is a busy time in your garden when you have to ensure everything is ready to withstand old man winter.  It is also a great time to get things completed so when spring rolls around you are ready to dig in and get planting those spring seeds and flowers.  Whether you are beginning the process of putting your garden to rest for the winter season or gearing up for a fresh start,  check out my 10 Tips for October Gardening to help you get it all done.
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 10 Tips for October Gardening

#1 In vegetable garden beds, be sure to remove old plants, as well as any foliage that has fallen on the soil.

#2 Do a final weeding, and mulch the bed with straw, grass clippings, or chopped leaves. These mulch’s can be turned into the soil next spring to help fertilize next year’s crops.

#3 Collect and store flower bulbs—such as gladiolus, freesia, calla, and canna bulbs—after their tops have frozen.

#4 Mow the lawn one last time. Spread corn gluten meal if you have problems with crab grass.

#5 Collect leaves to shred (with a shredder or mower) and compost.

#6 Before you put away your mower, drain gasoline and take it to the shop for any repairs and to have the blade sharpened.

#7 Cut back tender roses to 10 to 12 inches, and remove all foliage so insects and diseases can’t winter over.

#8 Cover tender, hybrid roses with leaves or straw to protect against winter temperature changes.

#9 Bring in any pots that can’t take a freeze — terra-cotta, ceramic, and many plastic pots

#10 Clean and oil garden tools before storing for winter

Bonus Tips:

• Dig up geraniums and bring them indoors for the winter.
• Plant spring bulbs up until ground freezes.
• If you are planning on making new garden beds, or expanding current ones, do it now so they are ready to plant in spring.  
• Continue harvesting any fall veggies. You can cover hardier veggies like Brussels sprouts with row covers to extend their season.

Don’t miss my post on:

Canna Lily Winter Care 

October Garden to do list 

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Fun Facts about Chickens some fun facts about my lovely feathered friends that rule my garden, eat my bugs, squawk at me and feed me.

~There are more chickens in the world than any other bird species.  In fact, more than 50 billion chickens are reared annually as a source of food, for both their meat and their eggs.

~Chickens are one of the most common domesticated animals in the world.

~Chickens are gregarious birds and live together as a flock with a distinct hierarchy or “pecking order.” They would naturally spend their day foraging for food, scratching the ground looking for insects and seeds.

~The chicken is the closest living relative to the great Tyrannosaurus-Rex.

~Chickens were first domesticated from a wild form called red jungle fowl, a bird that still runs wild in most of southeast Asia. (The guy in the top picture is a red jungle rooster or known as a phoenix)

~No one is positive who domesticated the chicken first, but based on archaeological evidence  it was the Chinese in 5400 BC

~Baby chickens are chicks. Female chickens are pullets until they’re old enough to lay eggs and become hens. Male chickens are called roosters, cocks or cockerels, depending on the country you’re in.

~Scientists think that the rooster’s wattle–the dangly bit beneath his beak–helps him to gain a hen’s attention when he is strutting his stuff.

~Chickens can get frost bite on their wattles, combs and feet.

~Chickens perform complex communication where calls have specific meanings. They perform over 30 types of vocalisation that we are aware of with meanings varying from calling youngsters, alarm calls, and alerting others to the whereabouts of food.

~A female chicken will mate with many different males but if she decides, after the deed is done, that she doesn’t want a particular rooster’s offspring and can eject his sperm. This occurs most often when the male is lower in the pecking order.

~Chickens are omnivores. They will eat seeds and insects but also larger prey like small mice, lizards and snakes.

~Chickens are able to remember and recognise over 100 individuals; they can also recognise humans.   They form complex social hierarchies, also known as “pecking orders,” and every chicken knows his or her place on the social ladder.

~Chickens comprehend cause-and-effect relationships and understand that objects still exist even after they are hidden from view.

~Like other birds and mammals, chickens experience REM sleep, which is associated with dreaming.

~Hens have 340 taste buds and chickens can’t taste sweetness in foods however they can detect salt, and most choose to avoid it.

~There are chickens everywhere in the world except for Antarctica.

~The record for the most yolks in an egg is nine.

~A double-yolked egg occurs when two egg yolks are released into a hen’s oviduct too close together and end up encased within the same shell.

~Because commercially sold eggs in the United States are weighed and candled before being sold you will probably never see a double yolk unless you buy from backyard chicken farmers.

Thanks for checking out my facts and a few of the ladies and gents from my backyard flock.  I hope you enjoyed yourself.

xo, Amy

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September is a great time to give your garden a little TLC.  So whether you are beginning the process of putting your garden to rest for the winter season or gearing up for a fresh start, September can be one of the busiest months in the garden. Check out my 10 Tips for September Gardening to help you get it all done.
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10 Tips for September Gardening:

#1 Stop Trimming and Fertilizing

#2 Divide and move perennials to fill holes in the garden.

#3 Cut back any perennial that has finished blloming or is diseased.

#4 Dig up and store those tender bulbs like, cannas, dahlias, and tuberous.

#5 Start planting spring flower bulbs like, daffodils, tulips, and hyancith.

#6 Harvest remaining vegetables except those cold harty varieties such as brussels sprouts, lettuce, and beets.

#7 Great time to plant trees and shrubs, keep watered during dry spells.

#8 Pick herbs for drying and or freezing.

#9 Remove diseased tomato, potato, and squash foliage to prevent disease. Do not toss these plants in the compost. Bag them up and throw away.

#10 Remove dead branches from roses and fruit trees (no pruning yet)

Bonus Tips: 

*Improve your garden soil by adding manure, compost and leaves directly to the top of your vegetable gardens and flower beds that you will not be planting in until spring. 

*Move your tropical houseplants indoors by the end of the month checking for pests and treating if necessary before the move indoors.

Don’t miss my September in the Garden post for more tips to help you in the garden.

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Brussels Sprouts are perfect to grow in fall temperatures.  They like the cool temperatures and you will want to time your plantings so that overnight fall frosts will bring out the sprouts’ sweetness.  

Here are 10 Tips for Growing Brussels Sprouts to help you get started. 
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10 Tips for Growing Brussels Sprouts:

#1 Brussels Sprouts are a cool weather crop that grow best at around 60°-65° F, fall is the perfect time to grow them

#2 Brussels sprouts need a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight daily; more is better.

#3 Space plants about 2’ apart.

#4 Mulch to retain soil moisture, and hand pull any weeds to avoid damaging the shallow roots of the sprout plants.

#5 Once plants begin to set sprouts, they can become a bit top-heavy so add stakes for support or mound dirt around stem for support.

#6 Brussels sprouts prefer well-drained soil and do not require excessive nutrients a liquid fertilizer once a month is plenty.

#7 Too much nitrogen will make for lots of leaves but not so much on the sprouts.

#8 If any of the lower leaves of the plant show any yellowing, at once strip them off.

#9 Pinching off the plant tops forces sprouts to mature faster.

#10 Harvest sprouts in the home garden after the first or second frost, taking just those sprouts which are big enough, starting from the bottom up

Bonus Tips:

Small sprouts (about 1-inch diameter) are the most tender.

Remove sprouts by twisting them from the stem..

Just before a severe freeze, uproot the plants, remove any remaining leaves, and hang plants upside down in a cool place for a few more weeks of harvesting.

Don’t miss my other Gardening Tips:

10 Tips for Growing Tomatoes

10 Tips for Growing Peppers

10 Tips for Growing Eggplant

10 Tips for Growing Zucchini

10 Tips for Growing Green Beans

10 Tips for Growing Blackberries

10 Tips for Growing Cucumbers

10 Tips for Growing Beets

10 Tips for Growing Melons {coming soon}

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Here are my top cucumber gardening tips, because every salad needs a home-grown cucumber, and I love making cucumber water and cucumber martinis.

1. You might be wondering, “How much sun do cucumbers need?” Plant them where they will get full sun; at least 8 hours of direct sunlight. When in a hot climate afternoon shade is best so they get partial shade.

2. Space plants 3’ apart and rows 4-5’ apart and make sure they have plenty of good drainage. Cucumbers need uncrowded space to grow, and it helps keep the pests at bay as well.

3. When planting cucumbers, add plenty of compost and aged manure to the soil. After the cucumber vines and first flowers develop, they’ll need a side dressing of compost and organic matter.

4. If yellow leaves appear, your plant may need more nitrogen. Nitrogen-rich fertilizer or coffee grounds will do the trick.

5. Trellising helps to keep fruit available for quick harvesting. Trellised cucumbers are cleaner and grow straight and more uniform.
   
6. They need between 1 and 2 inches of water per week but keep the soil slightly moist at all times. Water deeply about once or twice a week and more often if you’re gardening in sandy soil.

7. Cucumber beetles will attack plants and spread wilt. Cover plants early with row covers, but once flowers form you must remove for pollinators.

8. Fertile soil should have a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
   
9. The more you pick cucumbers, the longer they will produce.

10. To harvest your cucumbers it is best to use a knife or shears. Grasp the fruit and cut the stem 1/4 inch above it.

Before long you will be pickling and slicing cucumbers that you grew in your very own garden!

Additional Cucumber Gardening Tips:

Harvest your cucumber varieties; American slicers are generally best when harvested at 6 to 8 inches long; Middle Eastern types such as ‘Amira’ at 4 to 6 inches; most picklers at 3 to 5 inches; and Asian varieties at 8 to 12 inches.

If your cucumbers taste bitter, remove the ends, that seems to be where most bitterness is contained.

Danger of frost comes when the soil temperature gets below 55 degrees fahrenheit. You’ll want to plant after the last seasonal frost has passed but if you can’t you’ll need to cover them with light fabric or paper.

Don’t miss my other Gardening Tips:

10 Tips for Growing Tomatoes

10 Tips for Growing Peppers

10 Tips for Growing Eggplant

10 Tips for Growing Zucchini

10 Tips for Growing Green Beans

10 Tips for Growing Blackberries

10 Tips for Growing Brussels Sprouts

10 Tips for Growing Beets 

10 Tips for Growing Melons {coming soon}

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Growing Blackberries is easy if you plant them in the right conditions and give them the support they need. There are even thorn-free varieties which makes handling them much less painful. Download and save my graphic for 10 Tips For Growing Blackberries.

Health Benefits of Blackberries

Blackberries are a low-maintenance, easy-to-grow fruit that have many health benefits.  They are high in antioxidants and vitamin C, which help protect the body against disease.

Blackberries also contain dietary fiber, potassium, and magnesium, all of which are essential for good health.

As far as fruits go, blackberries have less sugar than most, making them a good choice for people who are watching their weight or have diabetes. And because they’re high in fiber, they help regulate digestion and can even reduce the risk of developing cancer.

How to Grow Blackberries

The best way to grow blackberries is in a sunny location with well-drained soil. They can be grown in containers or in the ground. Growing thornless blackberries make planting and picking the fruit easier than ever.

#1. Plant where they will get at least 10 hours of direct sunlight.

#2. Construct trellises for trailing varieties before planting.

#3. Space upright varieties at 3-foot intervals in rows 8 feet apart. Set trailing varieties 5 to 8 feet apart in rows 6 to 10 feet apart. Set plants 1 inch deeper than they were grown in the nursery.

#4. Cut the plants back to about six inches after you plant them.

#5. Fertilize the ground as soon in the spring as you possibly can.

#6. Make sure the growing blackberry plants receive about one inch of water a week.

#7. You need to make sure you do not plant the bushes where peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes or strawberries are growing, or have grown in the past three years or so.

#8. Your soil should have a pH between 5.6 to 6.2.

#9. After you see ripened blackberries, you want to pick them every three to six days.

#10. To prevent chilling injury in the winter, lay the canes of trailing types on the ground in winter and cover with a thick layer of mulch.

Blackberry FAQs

Can I use containers to grow blackberries?

Yes, growing blackberries in containers is a great option when you’re short on space or want to keep your planters off the ground.

What is the best soil for growing blackberries?

You should use a soil that is well drained and has a pH between 5.6 to 6.2.

Do I need to prune blackberries?

Yes, you should prune growing blackberry plants to keep them healthy and productive. Pruning usually takes place in the early spring.

Growing blackberries is easy with these 10 tips. Whether you’re growing them in your garden or inside a container, the most important thing to remember is that they need lots of sun and water.

I hope this content has been helpful for you and inspires you to try your hand at gardening this Spring!

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Other 10 Garden Tips Infographic:

10 Tips For Growing Tomatoes

10 Tips For Growing Peppers

10 Tips For Growing Eggplant

10 Tips For Growing Zucchini

10 Tips For Growing Green Beans

10 Tips for Growing Brussels Sprouts

10 Tips for Growing Cucumbers

10 Tips for Growing Beets

A Healthy Life For Me - Cooking, Gardening and Living a Healthy Life

I think I have found the perfect Gardening Tool  and You Will Love it.  The Hori-Hori makes life easier in the garden, what is not to love?
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Oh how a gardener wants the tools handy that she needs when she needs them. Like most gardeners I am constantly moving from place to place throughout the garden doing several different chores. Chores which need different tools to accomplish.

I also go through gardening tools fairly quickly. As my husband likes to say, “I manhandle them” asking them to do more than they were built to do.

I say pish-posh, I can’t help it if the weed has roots that have grown half way to china and I have to use as much force on the shovel as my weight can provide to pop the darn thing out of the ground. I think a quality garden shove should be able to handle that, don’t you?

Or how about when I find a big old zucchini that needs to be removed from its plant and I need a knife to cut if from the base but all I have is a hand shovel next to me and that just can’t get that kind of job done.

I tend to lay my sheers down after using them, and then when I find myself needing them in another part of the garden, having to walk back to where I used them and not being able to locate them in the grass.

Where am I going with this? Burpee contacted me and asked if I would like to be a bit of an ambassador for them, using a product or two and writing a review. I was pretty happy to oblige because Burpee was the first company I trusted 15 years ago to order gardening supplies from. I still remember how excited I was to get my first shipment from them.

So, now that you know my history with gardening tools and my history with Burpee I want to introduce you to the Hori-Hori Gardening Knife and Leather Sheath set.

I freaking love this tool. It does it all digs, cuts, chops and transplants and it has the handy dandy pouch that clips onto the waist of your pants or the outside of your pant pocket.

It helps you get even the most stubborn weed out of the ground, without even thinking of bending with the pressure you need to assert. It is great for cutting through twine and vines. Opening bags of soil, mulch or gravel.  It is perfect for removing your zucchini, cucumber, eggplant, and peppers for their plants. Transplanting your perennials is a breeze because it is long and narrow it allows you to get right next to the root system without damage. You can order the knife with the leather sheath which I HIGHLY recommend. That way it is always safely within reach.

I really love this tool, it really a multifunctional god send while your in the garden. If you are interested in this tool Burpee is offering $10 off your next order of $50 or more. Click on the Burpee link in my side bar and use the code AFFBDD74 through July 31^st.

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Zucchini plants can be a huge producer for your garden.  To make sure you get the most out of your plants I am providing 10 Tips for Growing Zucchini.

Zucchini is a summer squash that is usually one of the most abundant garden producers. Both blossoms and squash are edible. 

10 Tips for Growing Zucchini:

1. Plant where they will get at least 10 hours of direct sunlight.

2. Leave about 3-4’ space between each plant to allow for air to circulate.

3. If space is limited, put up a trellis for vertical support.

4. Give them a good doze of fertilizer each month of the summer to ensure they keep producing.

5. Mulch around established plants, this helps the soil retain water.

6. Make sure your soil stays consistently moist. Your plants should receive about soil about 2” a week. To prevent problems with disease, always water from below.

7. Your soil should have a pH between 6.0-7.0.

8. Pale to brown blotches on leaves are the work of squash bugs. Squash vine borers cause plants to wilt suddenly.

9. Harvest zucchini when the fruits are still smal, about 3 to 4 inches across or 4 to 6 inches long.

10. Use a sharp knife to sever the squash from the stem. This will protect breakage of stem.

Bonus Tip: Zucchinis don’t hold their flavor very long after picking. You can store them in the fridge but should use them up within a week.

Powdery mildew may strike zucchini plants, leaving whitish powdery spots on leaves that turn brown and dry.  You can prevent this by making sure leaves have a chance to dry, by good air circulation and exposing as much leaf surface as possible to direct sunlight.  Remove leaves that show mildew to try and stop the spread.  

If the mildew has effect a large part of the plant an organic remedy is using cows milk.   Mix 1 part milk with 9 parts water and spray the stems and tops of leaves with the solution. Reapply after rain.

You can try to prevent Powdery Mildew by spraying leaves with a mix of 1 teaspoon baking soda in 1 quart water.  This raises the pH, creating an unwelcoming environment for powdery mildew.

Are you following me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest? Thanks for reading and subscribe to A Healthy Life For Me  to have each post delivered straight to your e-mail box.

Check out my other Growing Tips:

10 Tips for Growing Green Beans

10 Tips for Growing Eggplant

10 Tips for Growing Peppers

10 Tips for Growing Tomatoes

10 Tips for Growing Brussels Sprouts

10 Tips for Growing Cucumbers

10 Tips for Growing Blackberries

10 Tips for Growing Beets

A Healthy Life For Me - Cooking, Gardening and Living a Healthy Life